Work-clamp mechanism for sewing-machines.



PATENTED DEC. 31 1907.

W. N. PARKES. WORK CLAMP MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 26, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

W. N. PABKES. WORK CLAMP MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED-13430.26, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEE-T 2-.

INVENTOR 3 M E S S E N l W ATTORNEY No. 875,622. PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

W. N. PARKES. WORK CLAMP MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 26, 1903. I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 875,622. PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

' w. NQPARKBS. WORK CLAMP MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES} APPLICATION FILED 11110.26, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 INVENT OR flaw/J fmaQl and in these machines the loopers are usually chines, a work-clampis usedwhich operates wise sot'hat the 'move the bobbin from i v UNITED STATES- PATENT" OFFICE,

WILLIAM N. PARKEs-oi BROOKLYN,NEW YORK. 1

WORK-CLAMP MECHANISM To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM N PARKES, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Work-Clamp Mechanism for Sewing-h'lachines, of diich the following is a description.

This invention relates to sewing machines and particularly to machines of the character adapted for stitching buttonholes, or to any machine in which worlsclamps are used.

In buttonhole, eyelet, tacking, or like n'1adirectly over the under-stitching mechanism,

rota'ted or oscillated in a vertical plane and the bobbins or cops removed therefrom sidework-clamps do not have to be disturbed. 4

In sewing machines in which the looper operates in a horizontal plane and a bobbin or cop is carried by the looper, it is desirable to remove the bobbin or cop from the top of the looper and through the work-plate. And in my stitch forming mechanism, covered by Patent' Nd. 730,692, dated June 9, 1903, and also as shown in my application Sr. No. 93,037, filed February 7, 1902, I have found it advantageous to use a stitch fori'ning mechanism in which the looper rotates and the bobbin-case is disposed .in a 3; l ig. 5 is a verticalsection taken horizontal plane, and the bobbin is removed from the top of 'the case. As the work-' clamp is usually directly over the understitching mechanism, it becomes desirable to have a clamp that may be readily removed, if the looper is tobe disposed in a horizontal plane, of if it is desired for any purpose to rethe looper through the cloth-plate and the space occupied by the clamp.

Therefore, it is the mainpbject of my invention to provide a work-claim), of such character that the same may be readily withdrawn from its operative position, for the purpose of ready access to thg. looper mecbanismor other parts lQUzllt-(l below the Work-plate;

Another object of my invention is to provide aworlc-clanip so constructed that when the parts are l i'ouglit'iiito engagement with the work the la tier will be stretcliedpr distended so as to be heldtautforthe reception, of the stitching and the' cutting of the hole;

Specification of Letters Patent, Application filed December 26, 1903. Serial l lo. 185.589.

similar to Fig. 8, the parts FOR sEwmG-MAoHINEs.

Patented Dec. -31, 190?;

, Another objectiof my invention to pro-i vide a work-clamp which normally will re- 3 main open for the reception and removal of the work and which is caused [O engage-the work by the simple depression of a presserbar which is mounted separately from the clamp.

Other objects will be set forth during the course of this description, and with'them all in view my invention consists in the parts,

eatures and combinations of elements hereinafter described and claimed. Referring to the drawings: perspective view of so much of the front end of a uttonhole sewing machine as is deemed necessary to illustrate my invention, the work-clamp being shown withdrawn and open, the slide-plate Withdrawn, needle-bar and cutter-bar elevated, the parts being thus disposed for the ready removal of, or access to, the looper mechanism; Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in. transverse section, of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the position and relation of the parts being the same with the exception. that the from the bobbin-case to indicate thefacility with which it may be removed; Fig.

its actuating mechanism as is deemed necessary to illustrate my invention; Fig, 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4+4; of Fig. on the line 55 of Fig. 3 liig-(iis a vertical section taken on the line 6.-6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan of the forward end of the upper clamp-plate; l ig, S is a vertical section. on the line 8---8 of Fig.7 ,.said figure including a representation of the lower clamp-plate with a piece of fabric laid between the two plates, the latter being separated; Fi 9 is a View eing shown, however, in closed relation; Fig. 10 is a front elevation of one of the brackets or pivotal supports for the jaws of the upper clampplate Fig. 11 isa detail plan view ofthe rear end of the work-clamp, showing portions only of the two clamp-plates and the various parts, constituting the hinge support for the upper, clamp-plate, being shown detached and partially in section; Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 2; and Fi 13 is a be t tom plan view of the rear end of t e work Figure l is a 3 is atop plan view of so much of the cloth-clamp and clamp and supporting portion of the clothplate, showingthe means which the workelamp is actuated from the driving cam.

sons specified in my patent andin my application above mentioned. Hence, my invention is shown illustrated in: connection with thls type of machine, although it is to be distinctly understood that'a looper mechanism of anyother type Ina be used or, on the other hand, my invention may be applied to any other type of machine. For example it may be used in connection with In buttonhole machine shown and described in U. S. Patent No. 658,578issued to me September 25, 1900, and. in'such a machine many of its functions are available as will be seenfrom the illustrations and descri tion.

In the drawings the wor e late of the machine is indicated by 1, the ead of the machine by 2, the slide-plate by 3, the needlebar by 4, which is caused to reciprocate and vibrate in the head in any usual manner, or as shown and described in my application above referred to. To the lower end of the needle-bar is clamped the needle-holder 5, which carries the needle 6, which works through the elongated .slot 7, in the throatplate 8, suitably retained in the work-plate 1. A cutter-bar 9, carrying at its lower end the buttonhole cutter 10, is shown as capable of reci rocating, by any suitable means, in the hea 2. The work-plate supports in any suitablemanner a complemental device 1.1, for cooperating with the cutter-blade 1.0. As shown, this cutting mechanism is located in advance of the stitch-forming mechanism, and disposed in the center of the line of feed, and is intended to be operated so as to cut the slit in the work after or before the stitches have been laid which constitute the binding of the uide-arm- 15. secured to the presser-' bar and operating within the slot 16, formed by the guide-bracket 17, and head of the ma' chine, and secured to the head by suitable means. These parts sect re the proper depression and elevation o the presser-bar, prevent any turning or twisting movement of the bar in the head, and rovide sullicient power for holding the members of the workclamp together for the urpose of holding and-stretching the work or'the reception of the stitches.

The presser-bar has secured to its lower end, by means of the clamping portion 18, and, screw 19, a presser-foot 20, which is bifurcated and of the form shown in Figs. 1

and 2. Thisfoot is not conventional, on the looper 23, whichcarries a bobbin-case 24,

held from turning with the looper by means of the finger 25, which engages a notch in the bottom of the throat-plate 8. The bobbinease receives the bobbin 26, or a mass of thread in any other form. The looper is disposed, and has circular movement, in a horizontal plane, being connected to the shaft 27, suitably held and journaled in the bracket 28, secured to-the bottom of the work-plate, and said shaft carrying a bevel-pinion 29, which engages and is driven by the bevelgear 30, the shaft of which is suitably journaled on the bottom of the work-plate and may be driven in any approved manner, or as disclosed by me in the application or patent above referred to.

The slide 3 is maintai ed in the workplate in usual manner and closes the opening in the bed-plate as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the surface of said slide being flush with the surface of the throat-plate.

To the work-plate, in rear of the stitch forming mechanism are, disposed two guideplates 31 and 32, the former being rlgidly old to the work-plate or a supplemental plate 36,, carried thereby, by means of the screws .33. The guide-plate 32 is laterally adjustable by means of the slots 34, therein, and the screws 35, the latter extending through the slots and entering the workplate or said supplemental plate 36. This construction rovides for the regulation of .the width of t e way between the two guideplates 31 and 32, enabling said way to be narrowed or broadened for the reception of different sizes of work-clamps or carrierplates, or for the purpose of taking up wear be, and said plate 37, is provided with the overhanging flanges 37, between and under which the lower clamp-plate 38, is confined straight.

two plates are rigidly helc endof said plate 37,

one. The form of the parts,

and held. The flanges 37 engage the ways 31 and 32, and prevent any friction between the latter and the lower clamp-plate. This avoids binding that might be caused in the operation of the machine by lint thread or dust getting between the plates 37 and 38, or by the long plate 38 not being absolutely it is obvious that by this construction a better bearing is provided for the operating plate 37, than if this plate did not ha e flanges extending over the plate 3? 'lhese flanges also prevent the plate 38 fzoni canting when the thumb nut 40 is tightened and thereby causing binding. The lower (lanai-plate 38, is free to slide upon the car rier-plate 37, between its flanges 37 but the 1 together by means of the clamp-screw 40, which passes through an elongated, open-end slot 41, in the rear and screws into the plate 38, the flange 42, on said screw, engaging the bottom of the plate 37, thus securely binding the two together so that they may move as which I have shown in this embodiment of my invention, involves the provision of overhanging flanges 37, on the plate 37, between which the plate 38, is received, and which flanges travel in the way between the guide-plates 31 and 32.

tuated for the 'ersing lever will, in its It is to be understood, however,-that the portions of my invention so far described are not confined to the particular structure set forth, inasmuch as difierent means or forms may be provided for securing the function ofmy invention and be within the scope and spirit thereof.

The plate 37, has secured to its bottom a pivotal guide-block 43, held by means of the screw 44, said block engaging the bifurcated end 45, of the traversing lever 46, pivoted at 47, to any convenient portion of the workplate. The traversing lever 46, may be acpurpose of giving to the workclamp a progressive continuous, or progressive intermittent movement. VVhatever may be the primary actuating means, the immediate actuating means for the travpreferred form, consist of the shaft 48 carrying the cam 49, in which runs the anti-friction roll 50, secured to an arm 51, of a bell crank lever pivoted at 52, to any adjacent portion of the workplate and having a segmental arm 52}, provided with a longitudinal, segmental groove or slot 54, in which is adj ustably secured by means of a usual clamping device 55 one end of the link 56, which link is pivoted at its other end to the lever 46. The cam 49, is secured ,to the shaft 48, by means of the screw 4!), and is constructed to provide a driving groove 57, between the flanges The adjustment of the end of the connection 56 in the way 54 is for the purpose of-adjustiug the length of the reciprocating movement of the. work carrier and thereby the length of the button-hole. WVhen the end of said connection is over the pivot of the bell crank lever at 52 the work carrier will of course receive no movement from the action of said lever. But as the said endis adjusted away from said pivot the extent of the reciprocating movement of the work carrier is increased.

The shaft 48 and through it the cam 49 may be operated by any suitable means, or example said shaft may be revolved by the ratehet mechanism shown and described in my aforesaid Patent No. 658,578, for button-hole machine. The cam groove 57 is so constructed that the work carrier receives from the same a uniform progressive reciproeating movement as the shaft 48 is given the usual intermittent revolving -movement.

In connection with the curved it is to be noted that it is formed about the axis of the pivot between the lever 46 and the link 56 when the cam 49 is in one of its extreme positions as shown in Fig. 3. By observing said figure itwill be seen that under this construction the cam 49 may be 'adjusted longitudinally of the shaft-48 so the work carrier will always start from a given c p rocation of the same may be.

By observingl ig. 1 it will be noticed that the button-hole must be completed when the clamp is in its extreme position towards the front of the machine or towards the operator inorder that the hole may be in position for the cutter 10 to cut the same. And this is stitches have been deposited. with the cutter located mechanisn'i, as 111 this Obviously machine, the work ing mechanism and then back again under the cutter so as to be in position to be cut by said cutter when said hole is finished, or in a of the same is commenced. This'position of the cutter is better than it would be back of the needle, because the looper is not located in its path as it would be insaid position back of the needle.

46, when the work carrier is in one of its extreme positions of reciprocations, or when it is in any other of its positions. By having it i locatcd as stated, so the said way is concentric with the said pivot whenthe work cargroove 54 before the stitching must first be moved towards the stitch forinposition to cut the hole before thestitching' Referring again to the curved groove 54' ing concentric with the pivot of the conthe curved way 54 will be concentric with the axis of the pivot between the parts 56 and.

point no matter what the extent of the re so whether the hole is out before or after the rier is in its extreme position towards the operator, it is seen that the end of the hole next same position relative to the work clamp.

This is of course not essential but is. advantageous in' making button-holes in certain kinds of garments.

The lower clamp-plate 38, 'is provided at its forward end with the angular slot 59,

into which the work is depressed as hereinafter described. Said plate 38, at any suitable point along its length, is provided with the bracket 60, having the supporting base 61, through which screws 62, extend into the plate 37, for rigidly securing the same together. The bracket 60, is provided with the slot 63.

rovided at its rear end with the bracket 64,

iaving the apertured bearings .65, for thereception of the journal-pin 66, which extends through said bearings and on which the upper clamp-plate 39, pivots or is journaled. The pin 66, is provided with the circular flange 67 across which extends the angular feather or rib 68. The outer end of the pin adjacent the rib 68, is screw-threaded as indicated by 69. The other end olithe pin is provided with the screw-threaded bore 79, for the reception of the screw 71, the head of which is adapted to rigidly bind the washer 7 2, against the end of the pin 66, the washer being provided with the aperture 7 3, for the reception of the. end 74, of the coiled-spring 75, which surrounds the pin 66, between the journal bearings 65, of the bracket 64. The

flange 67 on the pin 66, engages the inside of the bracket 60, on the lower cl amp-plate 38, the rib 68,-hts m the slot 63, to restrain the pm 66, from axial movement, and washer 77,

engages the outside of said bracket 69, sur

rounds the screw-threaded end 69, of the pin 66, and a nut 78 screws on the end 69, in order to clamp the pin 66, in any position desired along the bracket 60. The end 76, of the coiled-spring 75, enters an aperture 79, in oneof the bearings 65, see Figs. 3 and. 11. It will be seen from the construetion above described that the pin 66, is clamped in any Venting axial movement of the pin 66; and

, bore 70, of the pin 66.

that the upper clamp-plate 39, pivots upon said pin 66, and is prevented. from movement longitudinally of the pin 66, by means of the flange 67, and the washer 72, which latter is held in place on the end of the pin 66, by means of the screw 71, which enters the The coiled-spring is so wounr as to normally hold the upper clamping plate 39, open and substantially in The upper clamp-plate 39, is

pin 66.

As one end of the spring 75 enters the aperture 79, and its other end in the aperture 73 in the collar 72 it is seen that said collar serves the double purpose of properly retaining the bracket 64 on the stud pin 66, and also regulating the tension of said spring 75 on the upper member 39 ol the work clamp. By adjusting the collar around on the screw 7]. it of course carries with it the end of this spring 75 that is in the aperture 73 and thereby regulates the tension of said spring and the screw 71 clamps the collar and holds it in place. The vertical adjustment of the bearing pin 66 serves as means for adjusting Wrtieally the rear or pivoted end. of the upper member 39 of the work clamp to accommodate it to dill'erent thicknesses of work. When button-holes are being made in heavy work it is advantageous to adjust the pivoted end of said member upwardly until a point. is reached. where the said member 39 is parallel with the surface of the work when the clamp is closed. This adjustment is espeelally advantageous when button-holes are being made in thin material as it enables the part 39 to be so located that the jaws 84 does the thick material therefore it is more important that the said aws press the 1na-.

terial more uniformly to preventit from puckering and also to prevent it from lifting with the needle and thereby causing the machine to skip stitches.

The forward end of the clamp-plate 39, is provided with the slot 80, which is of suilicient size for the operation of the needle in making a button-hole. The opening 59 in the. lower member of the clamp is of suflicient size to allow the jaws 84 to press the work through the same into enga ement with the needle and cutter plates. T 1e bottom of the upper clamp-plate 39, isprovided with two supports or bracket pieces 81, the same being.

situated at opposite ends of the slot 80, and each being provided with a depending lug 82, which in turn is provided with a stop-pin or lug 83, extending from the inside thereof. The supports 81, have piyoted thereto the clamping jaws 84, the bottom of each of which is serrated as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the pivotal pins 85, for the support of the jaws 84, are disposed near the top and inner or adjacent edges thereof, thus throwing the weight of the jaws outside of their pivotal points and causing them to normally tend to rest against the stop-lug 83 as shown in Fig. 8.

To enable the parts to assume the position shown in Fig. 8 normally, the jaws are provided with the lateral end extensions 86, which engage the said lug 83. Flat springs 87 are disposed between the jaws 84-, at their ends and the bottom of the clamp-plate 39, said springs being normally curved so as to create pressure upon the jaws and maintain them in their normal inoperative position shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 9, when the upper clamp-plateBQ is depressed, and the jaws 84, engage the Work w, the latter is depressed withinthe opening 59, in the clamp-plate 38, and the jaws 84, are caused to. swing on their pivots and distend or stretch the work and hold the same thus for the reception of the stitches. The springs 87, will permit the jaws to yield to any unevenness which may. occur in the work. It will thus be seen that when the work-clamp is in proper position under the presser-foot and the latter is caused to de seend so as to bring the rolls 22, into engagement with the portions 88, of the clamp 39, the latter will be depressed into engagement with the ,work, which in turn will be stretched by the jaws84, and be depressed into the opening 59, in the lower late 38, these operations, functions and e 'ects being produced upon releasing the resserbar by manipulating the lever 1.4.. he tension of the spring is just sullicient to normally lift the member 39 of the clamp and i the tension of the "spring 13 is sulliciently stronger than" the said spring 75 to firmly press the jaws 84 into the position shown in Fig. 9. p

From the above description the mode of operation of the dill'erent parts of my mechanism will be apparent, but it may be well to suggest that when it is desired to replenish the bobbin, the presser-bar is elevated by manipulating the lever 14, which will permit the upper clampplate 39, to instantly assume its inoperative position through 'the medium of the coiled-spring 75, said plate being, limited in its upward movement by reason of its rear end engaging the adjustable-screw 62, Figs. 2, 5, 11 and 12, carried by the bracket base 6} then the clamping screw 40, is manipulated to release the clamp-plate 38, from the carrviiig plate 37,

which done, the plate- 38, together with the upper clamping plate 30, slld upon the carrying of the screw 40,

is retracted or plate 37, the shank passing out of the slot 4], in the end of the plate 37, until the parts are in the position indirated in Figs. 1 and 2. it is assumed, of course. that the needle and the. cutter are elevated. 'lhc slide plate. 3. will ihen-be moved to the position shown in .l ig. 1, access to the bobbin and loopil meehal-iism becomes convr'uiienl, and the bobbin may be removed. as well as the other parts of the looper mechanism, l'i'om'the top of the work-plate; and

machine for holding such as cleaning. or examination of the parts said clamp to be readily adjusted vertically as has been described.

Also it leaves the space between the upper and lower member free from such obstruction so the garment may be readil Y inserted between the members of the clamp, and longitudinally of the same when the holes are to be made arallel with the edge of the garment. urthermore when the presser bar is separate from the clamp the presser spring 13 may be.

of any desired length, and a better pressure thereby secured. But it is obvious that ordinary means may be carried by the clamp for depressing it. i

It will be noted that the separate adjustment of the plate 38 relative to the carrier 37 permits of the clamp being adjusted relative to the stitch forming mechanism, and the hole being thereby located relative to the opening 59 and as may be desired.

It should be understood that my invention consists not only in the particular workclamping and holding mechanism shown and described, but also in the actuating mechanism, and in the disposition of arts or relative arrangement of the stitehorming mechanism, cutter and presser-bars shown and described.

Having thus described my invention What I claim and.,.desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. A sewing machine comprising a workcarrier having a clamping device, said clamping device adapted to engage the work so that no movement takes place between the clamp and the work, means for normally holding said clamping device open, and means mounted in a stationary part of the said clamping device closed during the stitching operation.

2. A sewing machine the work-plate of which is provided with an opening for access to the looper mechanism; a carrier supported on the work-plate to'inove adjacent the opening; a work-clampsupported on the carrier and operating over said 0 ening; means for actuating said carrier; ant means whereby the clamp may be moved away from said opening and the carrier be undisturbed.

. 3. A sewing machine comprising stitchl'orming mechanism; a work-clamp; means l'oraietuating the clamp means for regulating the extent. of travel of the clamp; and meansqwhereby the initial position of the clamp may be established irrespective of adany other operation, 1 justments. of the extent of its travel.-

4. A sewing machine cdnfvprising stitchforming mechanism; a work-clam means for actuating the parts relatively I or stitching a buttonhole; and means whereby the' .10 parts relatively or stitching a buttonhole;

and means whereby the clamp and carrier may be adjusted relatively for determining the working position of the clamp.

6. A sewing machine comprising astitchforming mechanism; a work-clamp; means for actuating the parts relatively for stitching a buttonhole; means for regulating the length of the buttonhole; and means for adjusting the clamp relatively to its actuating mechanism whereby the be" inning end of the buttonhole may be established irrespective of thevlength of said hole.

'7. A sewing machine comprising stitchforming mechanism; a work-clamp;"-means for actuating the parts relatively for stitching a buttonhole;. .me'ans for regulating the length of the buttonhole; and means whereby a common or initial cooperative relation between the stitch-forming mechanism and the clamp may be maintained irrespective of the length of the buttonhole.

8. A sewing machine comprising stitchforming mechanism including a looper hori- ,zontally disposed; a cloth-plate having an opening above said looper; a work-clamp operating above, the looper; a carrier for said clamp; means'for actuating said carrier; and means whereby the clamp may be moved from above said looper and its car-rier be undisturbed, thus enabling the lo'oper to be reached through said opening.

- 9. A' sewing machine comprisingaa work carrier havin a clampingdevice, said clamping device a apted to engage the work so clamp andtthe work, a presserpart that is mounted separately from {said work carrier adapted to close said clamp into'engagement with the work, yielding means for normally depressing said presser part, means for lifting said presser part, and means for opening said clamp. I

10. A sewin 1 machine comprising a reciprocating needle, and complemental stitchforming mechanism; a work-clamp; means for actuating the clamp; means permitting the needle to reciprocate through the clamp; and means for engaging the clamp on opposite sides of and adjacent the path of reciprocation of the needlefor holding said clamp in operative position.

11. A work-holding mechanism for sewing machines comprising a suitable supporting frame; guide-plates carried thereby; a carrier disposed between the guide-plates; a

gage1nent with said lug.

that no movement takes place between the work-clamp, movably supported by the car- 4 rier; and means for detachably connecting the work-clamp to the carrier, whereby the work-clamp may be moved independently of the carrier.

12. A work-holding mechanism comprising a supporting frame; guide-plates secured thereto providin a guide-way; means for regulating the wi th ofthe uide-way; and a work-clamp uided within 1: e way.

13. A wor -holding mechanism for sewing machines comprising a work-clamp including two members; means for pivotally supporting one of said members upon the other; and means for adjusting the pivotal support relatively'to the other member.

14. A work-holding mechanism for sewing machines comprising two members; means for pivotally supporting one member upon the other; means at the pivotal v"si'upport'for normally elevating the .pivotaliinember; and means for re ulatin g the position of the pivot.

15. A wor r-holding mechanism for sewing machines comprisin a work-clamp including two relatively mova le'members one of said. members carrying pivoted jaws; a stop-lug interposed between said jaws; and means whereby said-jaws are normally held in en- 16. A saw g machine comprising. stitchformin' mechanism a work-clamp a carrier for said clamp means for actuating said carrier; and means whereby-said clamp may be moved relatively to said carrier and actuating means without disturbing the latter either as to function or operation.

17. A sewing machine comprising stitchformin mechanism; a work-clamp; a carrier for sai clamp; means operating upon the carrier for traversing the clamp relatively to the stitch-forming mechanism; and means whereby the clamp may be retracted from stitching position on the carrier and put out of action.

'18. A sewing machine comprising stitchformin mechanism; a work-clamp a carrier for sai clamp; means for operating the carrier icr traversing the clamp relatively to the stitch-forming mechanism; and means where- .by the clamp may be retracted from stitching position without disturbing the connec tion between the carrier and its operating means.

19. A sewing machine comprising stitchforming mechanism; a work-clamp; and. means for actuating the same relatively for stitching a buttonhole; a presser-bar carrying a foot having two legs between which the needle of the stitch-forming mechanism op erates and said clamp having a member provided with an' opening through which said needle operates and with which member said. foot cooperates by enga ement of its legs therewith on opposite sifes of said opening.

20. A work-holding mechanism for sewing machines comprising a Work-clamp a carrier for said clamp'having overhanging flan es machines comprising a Work-clamp including .twomemberglmeans for pivot'ally support:

ing one member upon-the other; means for adj listing the position of said pivotal support;

and means for normally holding said pivoted member elevated.

22. Awork-holding-meehanism for sewing machines CQIIlPIlSIIlg a work-clamp one of,

the members of Wliieh vineludesa plurality of .piyotallysupported serrated bars, spr ngs cooperating with'said bars and said member for pressing the bars to ether, and alug in terpo'sed between I said their normal position.

are for'determining In. testimony whereoi I .ha ve lireunto sig'ned my name in thepresence of.- two subscribing Witnesses.

.Witnessesj i CHAS. I M061. CHAPMAN, M. Hmzsxovrrz;

' WILLIAMNLPARKES'. 

